20 Hot Date Ideas to Try Across San Diego

It begins innocently enough. You exchange numbers. You start to text. You ask about siblings and their hometown and send a flirty selfie or two (after 26 takes). And, finally, you decide the beige flags outweigh the pink ones. (This is modern romance, after all.) Now, you’re ready to ditch your digital correspondence and go 3D—it’s time for a date.

To give Cupid’s arrow some tailwinds, we’ve devised 20 stellar ideas to get you and your boo(or bestie, if you prefer to enjoy the city without sweaty palms and will-we-won’t-we pressure) out and about all over the county. All we ask for in return is an invite to the wedding—or at least some kiss-and-tell intel on that first smooch.

So, go for it. Ask them out. We’ve got you covered with everything from first-dates to anniversary adventures. All you gotta do is bring the charm.

Encinitas

The sparks of creativity won’t be the only ones you feel tonight. Begin your date at the Institute of Contemporary Art North, a living laboratory of up-and-coming, often experimental fine artists. Spy soon-to-be classics and roam the halls of this North County museum to learn a little more about your partner’s tastes (you may be sharing an art collection, after all).

Then, swing by Leucadia’s The Mudd House. At this pottery studio, you can reserve a wheel and go for it or sign up for group or private lessons for a tutorial if you haven’t held clay since 9th grade. (Warning: Any Demi-Moore-Patrick-Swayze moments will amp up the chemistry but end up killing whatever you’ve thrown on the wheel.) End the night at Échale, the chicest little SoCal-inspired bistro in town, with a plethora of organic wines and a menu that offers bites like gambas al ajillo and local sea bass.

Barrio Logan

Every second Saturday brings the perfect excuse to hit the streets of one of San Diego’s coolest neighborhoods, Barrio Logan. Running from noon to 8 p.m., the Barrio Art Crawl is a monthly self-guided tour of the area’s 15 or so galleries. Check out what’s on the walls at the lynchpin art space Bread & Salt—its micro-galleries like Best Practice support some of the most innovative cross-border art in the county. Then, head up from Julian Avenue onto Logan Avenue to stop at spots like the Logan Ave Galeria de Arte and Galeria Mestizaje, home of the Aztlan Youth Brigade, which has been helping update the murals at Chicano Park.

After working up an appetite from all that strolling and being insightful, try a cult-classic fish sando at Fish Guts, the charming shack run by renowned chef Pablo Becker. From there, amble along to Jaguar Paw for a nightcap that won’t set you back tomorrow, thanks to a robust menu of low-ABV offerings and mocktails. The bar also offers organic wines, kombucha, and the stronger stuff should you need it, all set to live music and a swinging scene, perfect for impromptu dancing and whispering sweet nothings. May we suggest, “You’re the best artwork I saw tonight?”

Point Loma & Ocean Beach

Great dates don’t just happen—they’re thought out ahead of time. And Point Loma is a layup when it comes to planning to spoil your date with pretty things to look at while stuffing your face with delicious eats. So, how do a little tide-pooling and a sunset picnic sound? Start off at Cabrillo National Monument, where you can spend your afternoon peering at ocean critters and traversing trails or exploring the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which, at more than 440 feet above sea level, is considered the highest lighthouse in the US.

Then bring things down to earth in OB and hit up the iconic, family-run Little Lion Café, where you can grab some to-go grub with options ranging from croissant sandos to cobb salads. (Pro tip: There’s a gas station across the street for drinks.) Then, lay down a blanket for a sunset snuggle on the nearby Sunset Cliffs, where you can tally up all the romantic brownie points you just scored.

If the date is going well once the sun sets at the cliffs, OB is where it’s at for late-night live music, drinks, and good kinds of trouble.

The Holding Company: With a rooftop bar offering a mix of modern Asian-inspired food and crafty drinks, plus two live music venues with wildly diverse lineups downstairs, THC is a solid choice for both the cocktail-inclined and the musically adventurous. So, if you’re looking for a show, this is a safe place to roll the dice.

Winstons Beach Club: There’s not a frill to be found at this laidback venue known for hosting an eclectic mix of local reggae, jam bands, and comedy nights. Unpretentious and OB to the core, Winstons is a favorite local hang. Hemp hoodies welcome.

The Harp: Recently purchased by Miles Doughty, the frontman of OB-based band Slightly Stoopid, The Harp is the revitalized beating heart of the Newport Avenue live music and beer (and early-morning European soccer) scene. Bands play loud here, so popping in for a show is less about conversation and more about seeing how your date dances to reggae-rock.

Convoy District

Ahead of “til death do us part,” give “for richer, for poorer” a test run with a high-low night in Convoy. Omakase spot Hidden Fish’s 12-seat sushi gallery boasts offerings from Japan’s world-renowned Toyosu Fish Market. During your 90-minute slot, you’ll nibble 18 delectable morsels of silky sashimi, and what’s sexier than that? If you said a pitchy performance of “Take On Me,” you’re in luck—Carriage House Cocktails & Karaoke is only a five-minute walk away. You’ll know you’re there by the blackout windows and sole, flickering Budweiser sign.

Inside is a dive to win all dives. Darts whiz past your barstool and the sand on the shuffleboard table hasn’t been changed, well, ever, but everyone who follows the bouncing ball here gets a healthy round of applause. Once you’ve heard all the forced vibrato you can stomach, trade “loudly sung” for a “Softly Spoken”—a gentle elixir of Diplomatico rum, Michter’s bourbon, Pedro Ximenez sherry, mango, coconut cream, Chinese five spice, orange, lime, and angostura bitters—at Realm of The 52 Remedies, a favorite amongst San Diego’s bar industry elite.

Mission Bay

Ah, young love. Is it the best kind? Find out by channeling your inner teenager and spending a day in Mission Bay. Enter the gates of Belmont Park and walk down the midway full of the aromas of funnel cakes and pheromones as you attempt to win your paramour a gigantic stuffie with your dart-throwing or water-gun accuracy skills.

If the thrill of riding the 100-year-old Giant Dipper roller coaster didn’t get you in the mood, maybe snuggling up on a Sea-Doo will. Head to Mission Bay Sportcenter and hold tight to your own bae for a jet ski excursion. Bring a change of duds (something a little fancier) to end the evening with a meal at Dockside 1953. This nautical-leaning eatery at the Bahia Resort boasts unbridled views of the water and options like seafood towers and braised lamb.

Fallbrook

The key to a successful first out-of-towner? Keep it low-pressure by escaping only an hour from downtown SD to Fallbrook. Make it an early morning mission and head up the 15 to Monserate Mountain Trail Loop, a hike that takes you up 1,400 feet. At the summit, you’ll be greeted with views of the Peninsular Range and hopefully a sweaty hug.

This is proof that you can weather the ups and downs together should be all you need to get them a rock—a semi-precious one, anyway. At the nearby Oceanview Mine, you can pick and pry for gems (tourmaline, kunzite, morganite, and more) with local company Dig for Gems. Finally, wind down with a visit to Monserate Winery. Go through a guided tasting with the resident oenophiles; it includes six of the winery’s estate-grown vinos, plus some welcome bubbles to tickle your palate.

Coronado

Time for your own personal Love Island—with fewer camera crews, bare midriffs, and (hopefully) shouting matches and more adorable architecture, charming shops, and sea breezes. Coronado’s Flagship Ferry launches near the Convention Center or the Broadway Pier to take you to the idyllic peninsula. After a quick sprint across the bay with epic views of the Coronado Bridge, get your land legs and then head to the Coronado Municipal Golf Course for a bucket of balls.

Neither of you know how to play? Even better. Forge your bond in the fire of open self-mockery and a pact to forever avoid anything but putt-putt. Give yourselves a congratulatory quiet clap, then show them your true grip with a cutesy handhold as you mosey over to The Henry to split a plate of short rib potstickers and people-watch below charming striped umbrellas.

La Jolla

San Diego is a destination for millions of visitors each year—so why not play tourist in your own backyard for a carefree day of staycation stylings? Begin with brunch at Sea & Sky, Hotel La Jolla’s penthouse perch with panoramic views of the Pacific. Get energized with pancakes that play with the flavors of pink lady apples, cinnamon anglaise, and a pecan-oat crunch.

More of a savory character? Try the green egg shakshuka. Then, strap on your life vest, stretch your arms, and climb into a boat built for two to explore the coast’s famous sea caves on a guided tour with La Jolla Kayak. Once you’ve saluted the sea lions, say hi to other marine life at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which houses tiny penguins almost as cute as your boo.

Downtown

If music be the food of love, a musical is a veritable buffet—but first, treat them to an actual meal at Saint James French Diner. Sit two-by-two at the très mignon bar or head upstairs to the roof to see the expanse of the Gaslamp in all its historically debaucherous glory. Try the steak or moules frites (they both come with fries, so how can you go wrong?) and sip a vert-hued cocktail in anticipation of your seats at the San Diego Civic Theatre’s live production of Wicked. (We suggest the absinthe frappe to stay on-brand emerald.)

Stroll a few blocks to the theater and follow the love story of two not-so-different friends. After the show, head towards 8&G, the compound that houses Youngblood, a minuscule, Parisian-style, gem-in-the-wall cocktail speakeasy with a mere 16 seats. Once inside, try not to stare at the genitalia-print carpet and only into your date’s eyes.

A splash of bubbles greets you as the bartenders begin to whip, shake, and stir an intoxicating, three-course, liquid trip based wholly on your preferences. Taking a paramour someplace where the mixologists can turn their favorite dessert into a digestif is sure to make you, well, popular.

South Bay

Tired of taking yet another pedicab-dodging Tinder stroll through the Gaslamp? Show your date the underrated charms of South Bay instead. Begin at Chula Vista Bicycles, where you can rent a pair of two-wheelers for a half-hour ride (just under six miles via Broadway and the Bayshore Bikeway) to Market on 8th for a food cruise—but be sure to call ahead for bike availability.

After your self-guided tour of the food hall’s wares (perhaps Sushi National for some Japanese-Mexican mash-up or an espresso sweet treat from Alessie Café?), swap the bikes for your whip and roll into the South Bay Drive-In for a flick. May we recommend ditching the front seat for the back to ensure ample cuddling space? You’ll thank us when you come up for air as the credits roll.

Torrey Pines

The craggy and majestic Torrey Pines cliffs are romantic enough, but when you add the peril of paragliding and hang gliding at the Gliderport, intimacy is sure to take flight. Unless you’ve gone through glider school, you’ll have to break away from your babe to do a tandem soar with some of North America’s best glider pilots. But the views of the rolling, watery corduroy below are worth it. Once you’re back in the safety of terra firma, head up to The Lodge at Torrey Pines and sneak onto the croquet court, perched above the greens of the Torrey Pines Golf Course with a spectacular view of the horizon.

A mallet in hand always gives Heathers, so find your inner Christian and Winona as you compete in this very civilized sport (just leave the chainsaws and TNT at home). Finish up your hang by patronizing yet another hotel down the road. Estancia La Jolla’s Mustangs & Burros offers open-air dining and a central fireplace to amp up the cozy factor—just in case your margarita (or your date) doesn’t do the trick.

Shelter Island

When was the last time you ventured over to Shelter Island? If you’re local, we’re willing to bet it’s time to revisit, if only for the food at nearby Old Venice, where we suggest opening with what restaurant critic Troy Johnson called “the little black dress of apps”—baked triple-cream brie served with a hulking bulb of roasted garlic—then moseying into the rigatoni bolognese. If you scored the two-top that’s fireside, linger over dessert. If not, ditch the sweets in lieu of something fortified at Bali Hai.

Swing hand-in-hand to this Shelter Island institution. Order the mai tai and do your best Lady and the Tramp impression with two straws. Once you’re thoroughly tipsy (which won’t take much at Bali Hai), it’s time for the main event: a show at Humphreys Concerts By The Bay, with seats that boast a great view of the stage and the ships beyond.

Old Town

Exploring the city’s spine-tingling heritage in Old Town will jump-scare your date straight into your arms. Start at Cas Wet Plate Collodion Photography for an old-timey tin-type snap. Holed up at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant on the weekends, this father-daughter film duo brings the 19th century to the now, one flash at a time. Next, steel yourself with something strong enough to keep the demons at bay at Oculto 477, San Diego’s only speakeasy settled next to a graveyard.

Stashed inside Tahona, the bar serves sinful sips like the Gluttony, a blend of Japanese whisky, rhubarb amaro, sweet vermouth, and mole. Then it’s on to the only kind of ghosting you should be doing tonight: Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours offers evening slots to saunter through the unseemly sites of San Diego lore, from Heritage Park to the Whaley House—all fraught with sagas that will scintillate any true-crime podcast obsessive.

North Park

North Park has run up the ranks as the top contender for SD’s best food neighborhood, thanks to recent additions like Finca and Flora, mainstays like Black Radish, and upcoming attractions like Brad Wise’s A’L’ouest. To satisfy your Bourdain itch, get your mollusk on with the hip staff of Mabel’s Gone Fishing. The restaurant’s “Oyster Hour” kicks off at 4 p.m. Pair discounted oysters and Iberian-inspired snacks with a porrón (your personal wine funnel) full of garnatxa from Catalonia and test your trust and target skills by having your date pour the wine straight into your mouth—glasses are so passé (but available if you’re feeling coy).

Head a few blocks down University Avenue to 31ThirtyOne’s urban rooftop overlooking the North Park skyline to sup on refined, tweezer-tamed dishes from the Michelin-starred mind of Drew Deckman. Then, call a ride share to The LaFayette Hotel (trust us, you don’t want to battle for parking) to see a concert at CH Projects’ venue du jour, Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, with an illuminated, vintage shell stage and a calendar of artists curated by local music maestro Tim Mays.

Not ready for the night to end? Grab a lift back to North Park’s main drag for a last sip at one of the neighborhood’s many watering holes.

Redwing Bar & Grill: The concert’s not over yet. Tuesdays through Sundays at this always-packed, LGBTQ-friendly joint on 30th Street, boozed-up regulars provide free entertainment in the form of enthusiastic karaoke. Here’s your chance to serenade your date yourself.

Coin-Op Game Room: The best way to round out a rendezvous? Mortal Kombat. Drop a few quarters at Coin-Op, a temple of themed pinball machines and cocktails more creative and delicious than an arcade bar demands.

Seven Grand: Still swanky but not stuffy (there’s pool!), this University Avenue bar houses one of San Diego’s most robust whiskey selections. Candlelight and a cozy back room keep things romantic—though things get hopping after 10 p.m., so expect your sweet nothings to be shared at a shout.

Oceanside

Is Oceanside the next Silver Lake? Twosomes who secretly envy LA and have any Supreme or Rodarte in your wardrobes, this date’s for you. Start out at the swanky, newly opened Merenda to snap the perfect hard-launch pic. Natural wine list? Check. Small plates? Check. Dim lighting that makes you look almost more stunning than you naturally are? Obvi. Have the rockfish carpaccio with a glass of pineau d’aunis from Loire Valley and talk about how hard it is to be the coolest one in your friend group.

Then, pop over to Frontwave Arena to see the San Diego Clippers shoot their shots. Ideally, you splurged on floor seats, but, if not, make it fun and place some playful bets on three-pointers from the cheap seats (drinks on you at the next spot?). Cash in on those odds at Frankie’s for a soothing nightcap fixed by some of SD’s most artful bartenders in a subtly trendy O-side setting.

City Heights

There’s nothing steamier than proving you’ve got your finger on the pulse of our progressive, grassroots arts scene—except maybe a hot bowl of phở at Phở Hòa on El Cajon Boulevard. Squirt sriracha to your heart’s content to show your date how spicy you want things to go. Then, head to the Azalea Park enclave of City Heights to check out a show at The Brown Building on Poplar Street, a creative haven led by trans artists and activists.

Peep the site’s IG stories (@thebrownbuildingarts) for the latest upcoming events, whether that’s a suite of local bands, like the dreamy, watercolor-pop stylings of Kan Kan; a vision board–making workshop; or DJ school. Then, finish off the night at Soda Bar, one of the city’s top venues for emerging and local bands, so you can say you saw them before they made it to The Sound.

Little Italy

Play posh for the night in Little Italy, starting in the gilded halls of Born and Raised. With its neo-Gatsby architecture and artful homage to rap superstars, it’s the perfect spot to eschew pretense but love it all the same. Ball out and ask for an off-the-menu caviar bump to kick off the night’s festivities and pair it with something off the Champagne cart. Continue the indulgence and share some uni pasta made with local Assenti’s spaghetti and a sunset-hued sauce that rivals the richness of your 401K.

Split a bone-in, dry-aged ribeye while you’re at it—you’re at a steakhouse, after all. Then swing by Bobboi on Kettner Boulevard for more decadence, this time in the form of a little charcoal vanilla gelato. Round things out with a quick jaunt to Vino Carta, San Diego’s flagship natural wine shop and bar. A glass of biodynamic vino is sure to bring the feels—figuratively, of course.

Balboa Park

Low on funds but high on love? Take your date to the iconic Balboa Park for a slew of gratis activities. If things are blooming between you, start at the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden for some delightful sniffs and winsome snaps for the ’gram. Cross into the park and stroll by the fountain, then start museum-hopping. If it’s not a Tuesday (when some museums are free for locals), you can still hit up the cultural institutions with complimentary or give-what-you-can admission. Drop by the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art to see celluloid stunners.

If window shopping is your thing, head over to the Mingei, our local folk-arts museum, to browse the lobby’s impeccably curated gift shop and sample the art on the entry level (you’ll need to shell out $15 each to ogle the rest of the exhibitions). The Timken Museum is always free—read up on your European masters, American art, and Russian icons ahead of time to drop some historical facts and impress your boo. To rest your eyes but keep the cultural feast going, make your way to Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Check out their calendar of events for specific shows, or roll up on Sunday for a free concert starting at 2 p.m.

East County

Though us city slickers fancy ourselves Kendrick Lamar types, head 20 minutes east of our city core and it’s all Tim McGraw. So, hop in your Ford F-150, crank the AM to some Hank Williams, and drive to East County for a night of cowboy moonlighting. Kick things off at Grand Ole BBQ in Flinn Springs, where the meat just tastes smokier when you eat it while wearing cowboy boots. Get a spread of brisket, slaw, and some bacon-laden beans to share with your buckle bunny.

Now hike up those daisy dukes for a night on the dance floor at Renegade Country, where you can spin your sweetie in a Texas two-step or line dance to your heart’s content. After you’ve worked off your hearty meal honky tonking, shuffle down to Neon Moon in Lakeside for the signature Rattlesnake Margarita. It just might make you want to sink your teeth into something—or someone.

Julian

This date is a perfect barometer of your compatibility for one reason: You get to see how they drive. Make the true commitment of spending an hour in the car with someone before you even get to the first official hang at the California Wolf Center animal reserve, just outside Julian’s main drag. Opt for the Enrichment Tour to watch packs of Mexican gray wolves as handlers offer them food and scents to really get them (and you?) on the prowl.

Try to quell that animalistic energy as you head into Julian with its bucolic vibes and all-around PG rating. Bop around the quaint Main Street and stumble into shops like Antique Boutique to find tchotchkes of yore and Julian Book House to search for romantic inscriptions on the flyleaf of used novels. Before you settle back in for another long ride down State Highway 78, stop by Julian Beer Co. to bring the howl back with a pint of the award-winning and aptly titled “Carnal Intent” black IPA.